Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the speed of an induction motor includes a first winding and a second winding. The first winding and second winding are adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC input signal. A first switching device is coupled to the first winding and a second switching device is coupled to the second winding. Each of the switching devices is operative in a low impedance state enabling current to flow through the associated winding of each switching device and a high impedance state preventing significant current flow through the associated winding of each switching device. A controller switches each of the switching devices from the high impedance state to the low impedance state in a sequence for controlling the current in the windings, which induces a phase shift between the AC voltages across the windings.

Abstract: A power supply for a variable speed AC motor includes a waveform generator for generating a periodic pulsed waveform according to a desired motor speed, an adjustable source of DC potential, and an inverter coupled to the waveform generator and to the source of DC potential. The inverter provides an AC pulse train to the AC motor, the pulse train having waveform characteristics according to the pulsed waveform generated by the waveform generator to obtain the desired speed. The voltage amplitude of the pulse train provided to the motor is proportional to the DC potential whereby motor currents can be controlled at the desired motor speed by varying the DC potential.